2-913-690 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Rustchuk - Bridge of Boats in Course of Construction, 1854. Crimean War: building a pontoon bridge over the River Danube at Ruse in Bulgaria. 'Rustchuk is a large town on the banks of the Danube: it stands on the river's banks - here, low and swampy, more sand than mud: high hills command it behind. Rustchuk is fortified, and, with the example of Silistria before it, and defended by Turkish troops, flushed with their recent victories, would, probably, prove a stumbling-block for the Russians...The bridge of boats to connect Rustchuk with the island of Rhamadan is nearly completed, and will be a splendid means of communication; the service of victualling a large army by carques being one of great fatigue and expense'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.